Freight Shipping from Savannah to Houston
Ship freight from Savannah, GA to Houston, TX with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $2,406-$2,965, LTL from $815-$1,351. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
1,119 mi
Drive Time
20 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$2,406-$2,965
LTL Rate Est.
$815-$1,351
Fresh Food Lane
Savannah → Houston Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
162–184
running this lane
Weekly Loads
103–116
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.18–$2.66
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
64/100
Moderate
High-demand corridor. Spot rates move quickly during peak weeks. Contract lanes typically lock in 8-12% below spot.
Toll Estimate
$8–$14 one-way passing through GA, TX. 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Savannah to Houston Freight Corridor
The Port of Savannah's Garden City Terminal is the largest single-operator container terminal in North America, and it has reshaped Southeast freight flows over the past decade. Georgia Ports Authority's $3 billion investment in the Mason Mega Rail terminal allows double-stacked trains to reach Midwestern markets in under 48 hours, pulling volume away from East Coast competitors. For a metro of just 400K people, Savannah moves a staggering amount of freight — container volumes rivaling ports in metros 10 times its size.
Houston is the energy capital of the world, and its freight profile reflects it. The Houston Ship Channel — a 52-mile industrial corridor lined with the highest concentration of refineries and petrochemical plants on Earth — generates massive tanker, flatbed, and hazmat freight volumes. Port Houston ranks first in the U.S. for foreign waterborne tonnage and handles more export cargo than any other American port. The Texas Medical Center, the world's largest, adds a significant layer of pharmaceutical and medical equipment freight.
The Savannah-to-Houston corridor spans 1,119 miles via I-16, I-95, I-10, I-45. This lane connects port operations and logistics & warehousing freight from the Savannah market to oil & gas and petrochemicals demand in Houston. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Savannah
Savannah's economy is driven by port operations, logistics & warehousing, manufacturing, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized imports (redistributed)
paper & pulp products
kaolin clay
poultry products
resins & chemicals
forest products
What Houston Receives
Houston's oil & gas, petrochemicals, healthcare (texas medical center) sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Savannah.
crude oil
containerized imports
steel pipe
industrial chemicals
consumer goods
drilling equipment
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Savannah and Houston, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$2,406-$2,965 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$2,965-$3,749 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$3,189-$4,084 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$3,525-$4,756 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Savannah to Houston lane (1,119 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $2,406-$2,965 | 20 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $815-$1,351 | 22-24 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $3,637-$5,036 | 14 hrs |
| Intermodal (Rail + Truck) | $1,511-$2,070 | 23-25 days |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Savannah and Houston that drive volume on this lane.
Georgia Ports Authority
Gulfstream Aerospace
International Paper
ExxonMobil (Spring)
Phillips 66 (HQ)
Houston Ship Channel Refineries
Shipping Tips for Savannah to Houston
Savannah Seasonal Advisory
Import peak season (August-November) for holiday retail. Kaolin clay shipments from middle Georgia mines run year-round. Paper mill production is steady but dips slightly during summer maintenance shutdowns.
Houston Seasonal Advisory
Hurricane season (June-November) is the dominant variable — storms can shut down the Ship Channel and port for days, creating massive freight backlogs and rate spikes. Petrochemical production is year-round but refinery turnarounds in spring and fall temporarily shift freight patterns.
Consider Team Drivers
At 1,119 miles, this route exceeds single-driver HOS limits. Team drivers can deliver in 20 hours without mandatory 10-hour rest breaks, cutting transit time nearly in half compared to a solo driver.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Savannah and Houston — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Savannah, GA
- Metro Population
- 404K metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.15-$2.50/mi
- Key Highways
- I-16, I-95, US-80
- Rail / Intermodal
- NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail); CSX Savannah Terminal
- Port Access
- Port of Savannah/Garden City Terminal (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- West Chatham/I-16, Pooler/I-95, Garden City Terminal area
“Savannah's port is the "relief valve" for East Coast shippers frustrated with congestion at New York/New Jersey and Charleston. During port disruptions elsewhere, Savannah volumes spike 20-30%, creating sudden carrier demand that pushes spot rates well above contract levels.”
Destination
Houston, TX
- Metro Population
- 7.1M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $1.95-$2.30/mi
- Key Highways
- I-10, I-45, I-69/US-59
- Rail / Intermodal
- Union Pacific Settegast Yard; BNSF Pearland Intermodal; Port Houston Barbours Cut Container Terminal
- Port Access
- Port Houston (Houston Ship Channel, 0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Katy/I-10 West, Baytown/Ship Channel East, Missouri City/US-59 South
“Houston's energy corridor creates a unique freight dynamic — when oil prices rise, oilfield equipment and pipe shipments to the Permian Basin surge on flatbeds heading west on I-10. When prices fall, the same corridor reverses as equipment is mothballed and returned. Carriers who read the energy cycle can position ahead of these waves.”
Return Loads from Houston
Backhaul from Houston to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from Houston
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Savannah to Houston Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Savannah to Houston?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Savannah, GA to Houston, TX currently range $2,406-$2,965 (roughly $2.18-$2.66 per mile over 1,119 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $815-$1,351 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently tight on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Savannah to Houston?
Standard FTL transit from Savannah to Houston is approximately 20 hrs by truck over 1,119 miles, with 2 typical fuel stops along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%. Intermodal rail-truck service via NS Savannah Intermodal (Mason Mega Rail) to Union Pacific Settegast Yard takes 5-7 days but offers significant cost savings.
What equipment do I need for Savannah to Houston freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Savannah commonly ships containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Houston commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Houston to Savannah?
Moderate backhaul (scored 64/100 based on Houston's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from Houston to Savannah requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. Houston's top outbound commodities — refined petroleum, petrochemicals, plastic resins — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Savannah to Houston?
The Savannah-to-Houston corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Fresh Food Lane. Savannah's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (redistributed), paper & pulp products, kaolin clay, poultry products, resins & chemicals, forest products. Houston's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, steel pipe, industrial chemicals, consumer goods, drilling equipment. Industries driving this lane include port operations and logistics & warehousing from Savannah and oil & gas and petrochemicals in Houston.
When are rates highest on the Savannah to Houston lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to port operations and logistics & warehousing cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Get Exact Rates for Savannah to Houston
We maintain working relationships with 162+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Savannah–Houston corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts